To Kill a Mockingbird

Character Analysis Essay

Assignment: Your task is to write a five paragraph character analysis essay about a character in the
novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Once you have chosen a character to analyze, choose three adjectives
or descriptive phrases which you can apply to the character these are traits that the character
possesses. You will organize the body of your essay around these three traits.
Heading: Standard MLA and a creative title
Introduction: In this first paragraph, you will introduce your character. Use an anecdote, a telling
quote or incident from the novel, or a summary of how the character changes throughout the novel
to engage your reader. Remember: your first line must be interesting! Your intro should be roughly
5-6 good sentences.
Thesis Statement: This sentence is the last sentence of your introductory paragraph. This
sentence will inform the reader what he or she will read in your essay. The thesis should include
the characters name and the 3 adjectives.
MODEL THESIS: Throughout the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout presents herself as
inquisitive, compassionate, and adventurous.
This is a good thesis because the reader knows the first body paragraph will show how Scout
is inquisitive, the second will demonstrate how she is compassionate, and the third
adventurous. Also, the descriptors are vivid and apt for the character.
BAD THESIS: In this essay, you will see how Scout is nice, young, and boyish.
Remember, never write in this essay or you in formal compositions. Not to mention,
these adjectives are weak you can do better!
Body Paragraph #1: Your topic sentence includes the first adjective listed in your thesis statement
to describe your character. You will support that topic sentence with 2 examples from the book and
1 quote. Your quote must be cited in MLA format. Make sure you explain the connection between
the examples and the adjective. This paragraph should be 6-8 good sentences in length.
Body Paragraph #2: Your topic sentence includes the first adjective listed in your thesis statement
to describe your character. You will support that topic sentence with 2 examples from the book and
1 quote. Your quote must be cited in MLA format. Make sure you explain the connection between
the examples and the adjective. This paragraph should be 6-8 good sentences in length.
Body Paragraph #3: Your topic sentence includes the first adjective listed in your thesis statement
to describe your character. You will support that topic sentence with 2 examples from the book and
1 quote. Your quote must be cited in MLA format. Make sure you explain the connection between
the examples and the adjective. This paragraph should be 6-8 good sentences in length.
Conclusion: Restate your thesis statement, but make sure you reword it. Provide some final
thoughts about the character. This is the last paragraph your teacher reads, so make it good (5-6
sentences).
Quotation Requirements: You must include the page number of the quotation and introduce or
lead in the quotation properly. For example: When discussing Mrs. Duboses attitude, Atticus
informs Jem, Shes an old lady and shes ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman
(100). (Notice how I introduced the quotation, where I put the quotation marks, and how I noted
the page number.) See your correction guide for more help.

Character Choices for Analysis: Please note that some characters will be easier to analyze than
others in that there will be more situations and examples from the text to incorporate into your
essay.If you are interested in choosing an unlisted character, clear it with the teacher first.
Scout (Jean Louise) Finch, Jem Finch, Atticus Finch, Boo (Arthur) Radley, Calpurnia, Bob Ewell,
Mayella Ewell, Miss Maudie Atkinson, Aunt Alexandra, Dill Harris
Guidelines:

You need an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Your direct quotations should be no more than three lines long each.

Use an MLA heading and page format

The paper should be at least 2 typed pages long

The paper must be typed; 12 point font; Times New Roman; one inch margins;
double-spaced.
You must have a Creative Title. Scout or something to that effect does not

work.

Include the planning sheet I gave you for your character along with your typed

rough draft, peer edit, and rubric when you turn in your final copy.
Writing Tips You Must Follow (or lose points): Check and double-check your paper.

Avoid contractions (cant, wont, etc) unless in a quotation

Dont use slang or common words (thing, stuff, etc), unless in a quotation

Write only in third person. Dont use you or I.

Do not underline or put your title in quotations

Use sentence variety (simple, compound, complex)

Use specific, vivid, and detailed incidents and examples to support your thesis

Fix all comma splice errors, run-ons, and sentence fragments.

Run spell check, but remember that it wont catch the wrong use of words
(hear/here)
Write in all present tense. Books never end they continue on for a new

reader.

Fix all typing errors.

Make sure all paragraphs are indented a half an inch

Do not use get or got. Use stronger verbs!

Character Analysis Plan Sheet

Name of Character____________________________________________________
Adjective One_______________________________________
Example from novel:_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Example from novel:_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Quote and page #:___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Adjective Two_______________________________________
Example from novel:_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Example from novel:_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Quote and page #:___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Adjective Three_______________________________________
Example from novel:_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Example from novel:_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Quote and page #:___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Character Analysis Essay - Checklist

Heading & Format:
____Standard MLA format (see
handouts).
____Creative Title.
____Do not underline or put own title
in quotations, bold or larger size.
____Paper is at least 2 pages long.
____Paper is typed.
____12 point font.
____Times New Roman.
____One inch margins.
____Double-spaced.
____All paragraphs are indented
inch.
Introduction:
____Use an anecdote, a telling quote or
incident from the novel, or a
summary of how the character
changes throughout the novel to
engage your reader.
____First line must be interesting!
____Intro should be 5-6 good
sentences.
____Novel title is italicized
Thesis Statement:
____Last sentence of introductory
paragraph.
____Includes the characters name and
the 3 adjectives.
Body Paragraph #1:
____Topic sentence includes the first
adjective listed in thesis
statement.
____Example.
____1st Quote (no longer than 3 lines).
____Explanation.
____2nd quote (no longer than 3 lines).
____Explanation
____Quote cited in MLA format.

____Connection between the examples

and the adjective.
____Paragraph is 6-8 good sentences.

Body Paragraph #2:

____Topic sentence includes the first
adjective listed in thesis
statement.
____Example.
____1st Quote (no longer than 3 lines).
____Explanation.
____2nd quote (no longer than 3 lines).
____Explanation
____Quote cited in MLA format.
____Connection between the examples
and the adjective.
____Paragraph is 6-8 good sentences.
Body Paragraph #3:
____Topic sentence includes the first
adjective listed in thesis
statement.
____Example.
____1st Quote (no longer than 3 lines).
____Explanation.
____2nd quote (no longer than 3 lines).
____Explanation
____Quote cited in MLA format.
____Connection between the examples
and the adjective.
____Paragraph is 6-8 good sentences.
Conclusion:
____Restate (reword) thesis statement.
____Final thoughts about the character.
____5-6 sentences.
Writing Tips You Must Follow

____Avoid contractions unless in a

____Fix sentence fragments.
quotation.
____Punctuation is accurate.
____Dont use slang or common words
____Run spell check.
unless in a quotation.
____Write in all present tense.
____Write only in third person.
____Fix all typing errors.
____Use sentence variety (simple,
compound, complex).
____Fix all comma splices & run-ons.
Have you: _____ Self-edited _____ Peer Edited
If you can honestly say you have addressed every one of these issues, then you are done!